ISIS launches coordinated attack on Kirkuk

New York [USA], Oct. 21 (ANI): ISIS militants have reportedly carried out coordinated attacks on several security buildings in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk.

According to the security officials, dozens of militants targeted four police stations and Kurdish security offices, spreading themselves out through several residential neighborhoods, reports CNN.

The officials said that clashes were underway in the southern part of the city as of Friday morning.

Though the exact figures are unknown but a number of people were killed and wounded in the clashes.

Images broadcast on local television showed what appeared to be dead or injured fighters on the street.

The attack comes as Iraqi and Kurdish forces battle ISIS militants in Iraq's second-largest city of Mosul.

Kirkuk is 175 kilometers (109 miles) southeast of Mosul and the local authorities imposed a curfew in the city amid the attacks.

Attacks in Kirkuk have been seen as attempts by ISIS to either capture the city or divert Kurdish troops from the fight in Mosul.

The city's significance stems from the fact its oil reserves are almost as much as those in southern Iraq.

Kirkuk has seen ISIS fighters pitted against the Peshmerga, Iraqi Government troops and an international coalition.

In a separate incident, ISIS militants also attacked a government building in Dibis town, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Kirkuk on Friday. Twelve people were killed in the attack, including nine Iraqi employees and three Iranian contractors. (ANI)